Several old women quickly stepped forward and pinned Song Yue down, ignoring her struggles. Song Yue stared into the eyes of the Duke of Jingguo and suddenly realized what was happening.
The Duke of Jingguo was already dissatisfied with the special treatment he received from the Emperor of Northern Chu. He had been secretly in close contact with the Shen family and the Prince of Zhennan’s Mansion, plotting to ruin the Emperor of Northern Chu’s reputation, incite public anger, and then take the opportunity to overthrow the Emperor.
Therefore, the Duke of Jingguo will be forced to confess today.
Even if it angered the Emperor of Northern Chu, it was all justified.
If the Emperor of Northern Chu were to support her, it would be aiding and abetting evil, and what would be even more disgusting would be that rumors would spread about the innocence between the Emperor of Northern Chu and Princess Jia Hua.
The fact that the Duke of Jingguo dared to torture her today, and that he came with Madam Shen, means he must have discussed it with the Shen family.
Song Yue took a deep breath and cursed under her breath, "Despicable!"
"Attack!" Duke Jingguo gave the order.
The bamboo stick that the old woman was holding landed in Song Yue's palm.
Snap!
As the stick struck, Song Yue's face turned pale instantly, a wave of intense pain washing over her. She gritted her teeth tightly.
Standing beside the Duke of Jingguo, Yuan Fuling continued, "Your Excellency, Song Yue certainly cannot handle such a big matter by herself. Why not summon the servants of Yuehua Pavilion to question them?"
The Duke of Jingguo nodded.
Soon, Zhang Mama and the others were brought over. There were eight or nine people in total. Except for Zhang Mama, all of them had been tortured, and their clothes were stained with a lot of blood.
When Zhang Mama first saw Song Yue kneeling on the ground and being held down, her eyelids twitched violently.
"Granny Zhang, you've been serving Song Yue these past few days. Has there been anything amiss?" Yuan Fuling asked angrily, her eyes revealing undisguised smugness.
Song Yue looked at Granny Zhang.
Granny Zhang lowered her eyes.
“Granny Zhang, I have already obtained the indentures of your entire family from Song Yue. Just tell her what you have to say, and don’t let her threaten you!” Yuan Fuling said.
Suddenly, Granny Zhang raised her head and looked at Yuan Fuling in disbelief, her mind flashing through Song Yue's thoughts of what she had done these past few days.
For a fleeting moment, she wavered.
However, Zhang Mama suddenly remembered that Song Yue clearly knew that the madam was going to frame her, but she pretended to know nothing. It was impossible that she hadn't made a backup plan.
Offending the lady might result in a scolding or being sold off.
But if you offend a girl, there's only one outcome: death.
After thinking it over, Granny Zhang kowtowed to Yuan Fuling: "Madam, the Third Miss never seeks trouble. She usually stays at home and never leaves the house. This old servant has never noticed anything unusual about the Third Miss. I beg the Duke and Madam to see the truth."
Yuan Fuling's smile froze, and her brows furrowed: "Granny Zhang, what exactly is going on?"
How could I possibly speak up for Song Yue?
“Madam, everything I’ve said is true. The Third Miss has been wronged. And that bottle of medicine—I saw the people who came to search the place put it there with my own eyes.” Zhang Mama went all out.
Whether we live or die, we'll gamble it all.
Yuan Fuling's expression changed drastically. She rushed forward and slapped Zhang Mama's face several times: "You slave, how dare you talk nonsense!"
Song Yue sneered, her gaze turning menacingly to Yuan Fuling before turning to the Duke of Jing: "So, does Your Highness intend to continue to extract a confession through torture?"
The Duke of Jingguo looked at Yuan Fuling with displeasure, which frightened Yuan Fuling into saying aggrievedly, "It must be that Granny Zhang has been bribed by Song Yue."
“I came to the Duke of Jingguo’s mansion all alone. Even the furnishings in the room are fakes. I don’t even have a decent piece of clothing. Tell me, how do you expect me to bribe a servant whose indenture is not even in my possession?” Song Yue questioned.
Yuan Fuling choked on her words.
She had indeed underestimated Song Yue.
She just didn't understand how Song Yue had managed to turn Zhang Mama against her.
“My lord, Zhang Mama’s words alone are not credible; there are others as well,” Yuan Fuling quickly pointed to the others.
Of the eight maids, six were on Song Yue's side, while only two spoke vaguely and eventually, under Yuan Fuling's guidance, turned against Song Yue and accused her.
Song Yue glanced at the two of them.
“Father, others may not dare to speak the truth, but these two must be telling the truth,” Song Hengchuan said, glancing at Shen Ruyun as he did so.
Shen Ruyun immediately whispered, "Ju Hong's death is indeed related to the Third Miss. The Third Miss dared to poison someone right under the Shen family's nose, so it must not be difficult for her to poison the Second Miss. As for Han Feng, he must have been used by someone and just went along with it."
“What Yun’er said is correct.” Although Madam Shen looked down on Yuan Fuling, when she thought of the Duke of Jing’s power and Song Hengchuan’s talent in both literature and martial arts, she had no choice but to do everything she could to pin the blame on Song Yue for her daughter’s sake.
Sacrificing Song Yue is no big deal.
Duke Jingguo nodded, looking coldly at Song Yue: "Why did you kill Ju Hong?"
That statement already sealed her fate.
Despite the pain in her hand, Song Yue said weakly, "Father, there's something I want to say to you privately."
Duke Jingguo frowned: "Don't try any tricks on me. Just say what you have to say. If you admit your guilt, I will personally take you to the Han family to demand justice and clear your second sister's name. I might even spare your life."
Song Yue remained silent for a long time.
"Don't expect anyone to save you." Song Hengchuan saw through Song Yue's thoughts at a glance. He smiled and pointed to Ling Yi, who was tied up and covered in blood not far away. Song Yue's pupils shrank. She not only saw Ling Yi, but also Yun Dong, who had been beaten beyond recognition.
Yun Dong lay on the ground like a dead dog being dragged along.
"Your Excellency, this maid was sneaking around in the backyard when this old servant caught her red-handed. She even swallowed a jade pendant, and no matter how much this old servant beats her, she won't let go," an old woman said, pointing at Yun Dong.
Yun Dong opened her eyes and looked at Song Yue, her eyes filled with guilt.
Song Yue's anger was instantly ignited.
"Now, you only have one path before you: either sign a confession, or... commit suicide out of fear of punishment. There are witnesses and physical evidence. Even if you go before the Emperor, the Duke of Jingguo's mansion will be expelled from the family today, which is only right and proper." Song Hengchuan gritted his teeth and walked towards Ling Yi with a knife in his hand.
He had been defeated by Ling Yi several times and had long wanted to get rid of him. However, he was outnumbered and a group of guards held Ling Yi hostage. It took them two whole hours to finally capture him.
He wanted Song Yue to see with her own eyes how Ling Yi died.
Song Yue struggled.
The old woman behind her held her down tightly, her fingernails digging into Song Yue's flesh.
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